A to Z Recipes Newsletter 12-21-2005

A to Z Recipes Newsletter
December 21, 2005

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In This Issue

Publisher's Desk
Ramblings
Did You Know?
Monthly Theme, Recipe Submissions
Reader Support
Birthday Babies
Discussion Forum
Crazy Corner
Recipe Favorites
Heart Healthy
Diabetic Choices
For Two
Publisher's Choice

Publisher's Desk

Linda's Note: I am rerunnning last year's Christmas Eve edition (with Maggie's permission) for a couple of reasons. I wanted to share again our family's traditions and recipes. I thought about writing another issue, but the menu and the antics remain the same. I guess that's why they call it tradition! We also have many new subscribers that may not have seen the original issue. To them, and to you, my wishes also remain the same. May you have a blessed Christmas season, in which ever way you choose to celebrate this Holy time.
Linda

Hi from Linda in Michigan. Christmas Eve. Following the Polish tradition, that's when we celebrate our family Christmas. When I was little, my dad refused to put up the tree until Christmas Eve. We would decorate the tree, have dinner, open presents and then go to midnight Mass. Now my children and grandchildren come to my house. My daughter and daughters-in-law and I set out a buffet dinner. We kind of pick at it all afternoon. Then, as soon as it gets dark, the grandkids start running from window to window to see who can spot him first. Yep. Santa. He comes to our house every Christmas Eve, hands out presents and candy canes, has his picture taken with everyone (even the granddogs) and then is on his way to his next appointed round. It's kind of a laid back day, with my son, Tim, measuring the stacks of presents and whining that his sister's stack is bigger than his, son Mark overseeing the grandkids playing with the village that we set up and resetting the train on it's track a million times, and daughter Marie doing everything from refilling the cookie trays to doing the dishes to reminding Tim that her stack is bigger. The food is not the center attraction. The family is. From our family to yours, here are a few recipes that are a tradition in our house. Enjoy. Merry Christmas.

A to Z Recipes is in danger of extinction.
With expenses exceeding my ability to pay, this publication may cease. Only through reader support can it continue. Your donation and/or purchases through links found in issues will help offset rising expenses. There is n-o charge for the many hours spent here for you and n-o profit is desired. A to Z Recipes will remain a free publication - to the end. ~ Publisher

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Ramblings

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Christmas Thoughts for all the Year

By the Editors of Mc Call's, December, 1959

THIS CHRISTMAS mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust. Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. Flout envy. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Appreciate. Be kind; be gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your gratitude. Go to church. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again.

Did You Know?

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How to Observe Polish Christmas Eve Customs

The major Christmas celebration in Poland takes place on "Wigilia," which is Christmas Eve. Traditionally, Wigilia is a time for forgiveness and a fresh start. A 12-dish, meatless dinner is served before other festivities begin.

Steps: 1. Clean the house and trim the Christmas tree during the daylight hours. In rural Poland, these are traditional Christmas Eve activities, and Poles fast until dinnertime.

2. Decorate according to Polish folklore: Hang mistletoe over the front door to ward off evil; place wheat in the dining room corners and under the tablecloth to chase away misery.

3. Set the table with a white tablecloth. Set one extra place setting to remember absent family members or accommodate an unexpected guest. According to custom, the dinner begins with a prayer and sharing of blessed Oplatek bread to represent Communion.

4. Light the tree and serve dinner (see "How to Prepare a Traditional Polish Christmas Eve Dinner") after the first star appears in the sky. The first star commemorates the birth of Christ and represents the star of Bethlehem.

5. Exchange gifts after dinner is finished.

6. Give the family pet a special treat after dinner, as in Poland the head of the household would take a treat of dinner leftovers to the animals in the barn. Polish folklore explains that animals can speak in human voices on Christmas Eve.

7. Sing Polish Christmas carols. Carolers in Poland visit neighborhood households from Christmas Eve through the end of the holiday season on January 6, the Feast of the Three Kings.

8. Enjoy a brisk sleigh ride with friends and family, and serve refreshments afterward. In Poland, this is known as a "kulig."

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Monthly Theme, Recipe Submissions

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Soup's On!

Here's the scoop on the current theme:

With the weather becoming more wintry, what else comes to mind but a steaming pot of soup on the stove? The aroma fills the house, and everyone feels warmer when it is eaten. My kids go for Chicken Soup, but also love a rich beef stew. Of course, being a chile-head, I love a spicy chili. What melts the heart and warms the soul at your house? The soup's on, folks... send us your favorite soup recipes. We will collect them all month and post them on the first Sunday of January. Please understand that we do not wish to infringe on copyrighted material; if your source states it is copyrighted then do not send it. Make sure to view the rules section to ensure your submissions are acceptable.

Please use this email link to submit a recipe for theme recipes: Soup's On!

A to Z Recipes continues with its popular Theme Issues. We will share theme recipes and post them on the first Sunday of each month. Send your recipes no later than the last Friday of each month to have them posted in the next monthly theme issue. You may send in your favorite theme recipes in ONE email. If the number of recipes submitted by readers exceeds those needed in the issue, the publisher will post as many from every submitter as possible and save the remaining recipes for the following Sundays of that month. The rules for recipe submissions for the monthly theme issues are the same as ALL recipes submitted for posting.

The rules for posting items in A to Z Recipes newsletters are:
As a service to your fellow readers, please send only items that are in a form that others could easily copy and save for their own use. Items that would require a lot of editing or cleaning up (ALL caps or NO caps) or recipes that use non-standard measurements should not be submitted. Items without a name and location of sender may NOT be posted or posted without any credit given. Many web sites prohibit distribution of their materials without a web link. If you wish to submit an item from another web site, be sure that web site allows it. If so, you must include the web site address (the URL - in other words - cut and paste the address shown in your web browser when you viewed the item on that web site). It is unreasonable to expect a2z to research and verify your sources. There will be NO recipes posted that are copyrighted or from other recipe-zines. A to Z Recipes protects the privacy of its readers and does NOT publish email addresses. There will be no exceptions.

See the A to Z Recipes Theme Issues collection here:

A to Z Recipes Theme Issues

The theme issue for Soup's On! has a deadline of December 30, 2005, and will be posted on January 1, 2006.

Please use this email link to submit a recipe for theme recipes: Soup's On!

As usual, only recipes are to be sent to: A to Z Recipes Inbox.

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~Maggie~

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Birthday Babies

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This information will help us get to know you as well as help celebrate your special day. Knowing our a2z family, I am sure it will help others find shared interests and make new friendships. Because of time constraints, only birthdays shared using the appropriate link and basic information will be considered.

Discussion Forum

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Our discussion forum at QuickTopic is where a2z’ers go to meet others, swap recipes and give feedback about what is going on in A to Z Recipes. It is expected that opinions, suggestions, etc. posted there be done with kindness and respect for all involved*. To join in at QT (or just to read) use your web browser to go to:

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You don't have to register or sign in, and you can choose to receive email for newly posted messages -- just select the button when you get there.

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Maybe once you get to the site, you could add it to favorites. Links that are easy to find are more likely to be used again.

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Family Reunion Photos!

Our first one was June 2004. Check out Leslie and Rusty's pics from December 2004. The most recent gathering was held May 2005.

Crazy Corner

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What nationality is Santa?

North Polish!

Twelve Days of Fast Food

On the first day of Christmas,
My drive through gave to me:
A Big Bacon Classic with cheese.

On the second day of Christmas,
My drive through gave to me:
Two Happy Meals,
and a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.

On the third day of Christmas,
My drive through gave to me:
Three Biggie Fries,
Two Happy Meals,
And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
My drive through gave to me:
Four Egg McMuffins,
Three Biggie Fries,
Two Happy Meals,
And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
My drive through gave to me:
Five onion rings,
Four Egg McMuffins,
Three Biggie Fries,
Two Happy Meals,
And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
My drive through gave to me:
Six chocolate milkshakes,
Five onion rings,
Four Egg McMuffins,
Three Biggie Fries,
Two Happy Meals,
And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
My drive through gave to me:
Seven pints of cole slaw,
Six chocolate milkshakes,
Five onion rings,
Four Egg McMuffins,
Three Biggie Fries,
Two Happy Meals,
And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
My drive through gave to me:
Eight bowls of chili,
Seven pints of cole slaw,
Six chocolate milkshakes,
Five onion rings,
Four Egg McMuffins,
Three Biggie Fries,
Two Happy Meals,
And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
My drive through gave to me:
Nine polish hot dogs,
Eight bowls of chili,
Seven pints of cole slaw,
Six chocolate milkshakes,
Five onion rings,
Four Egg McMuffins,
Three Biggie Fries,
Two Happy Meals,
And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
My drive through gave to me:
Ten baked potatoes,
Nine polish hot dogs,
Eight bowls of chili,
Seven pints of cole slaw,
Six chocolate milkshakes,
Five onion rings,
Four Egg McMuffins,
Three Biggie Fries,
Two Happy Meals,
And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My drive through gave to me:
Eleven pounds of blubber,
Ten baked potatoes,
Nine polish hot dogs,
Eight bowls of chili,
Seven pints of cole slaw,
Six chocolate milkshakes,
Five onion rings,
Four Egg McMuffins,
Three Biggie Fries,
Two Happy Meals,
And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My drive through gave to me:
Twelve bags of Pepto,
Eleven pounds of blubber,
Ten baked potatoes,
Nine polish hot dogs,
Eight bowls of chili,
Seven pints of cole slaw,
Six chocolate milkshakes,
Five onion rings,
Four Egg McMuffins,
Three Biggie Fries,
Two Happy Meals,
And a Big Bacon Classic with Cheese

Recipe Favorites

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We always have a lot of appetizers to nibble on through the day. The choices vary from year to year, but if I didn't serve these, it wouldn't be Christmas.

BRAUNSCHWEIGER SPREAD

1 roll of Braunschweiger (about a six inch roll of liver sausage)
1 envelope of Lipton's onion soup mix
Sour cream to consistency

Remove the casing from the liver sausage and mash up the sausage. I sometimes microwave the sausage for a few seconds to soften it up. Mix in the onion soup. Mix in the sour cream, a few tablespoons at a time until it reaches a spreading consistency. Serve with crackers.

CRABMEAT SPREAD

1 can of crabmeat (you need not get the expensive kind)
1 8 ounce package of cream cheese
1 bottle of cocktail sauce

Mix the crabmeat and cream cheese together. Spread onto a flat dish. Pour cocktail sauce over the mixture. Place a bowl with additional cocktail sauce nearby. Serve with crackers.

MEATS

We always have Kielbasa (Polish sausage) and ham. To make Christmas Eve less hectic, I cook the meats the day before. I get a spiral sliced ham, cook it in a covered roaster with some ginger ale poured over it. The ham is pre-cooked, so I only heat it for an hour or so. Just to get the ginger flavor into it. When it is cool, we slice it and layer it on a large platter. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Serve it cold with some good bakery bread.

We usually get about four or five pounds of fresh kielbasa. Put it in a large roaster and cover it with water. Cook in a 350 degree oven for about 2 hours. You can either drain off the liquid from the roaster and return the pan to the oven and let the kielbasa brown in the oven, or you can brown the meat in a frying pan. Cut into one inch pieces and refrigerate. A couple hours before serving, put the pieces into a crock pot, to heat it up and keep warm. Serve with mustard and horseradish.

CHEESY POTATOES

No cheesy potatoes, unhappy family. End of story.

1 package (2 pounds) frozen hash browns (I like the shredded kind)
½ cup diced onions
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 container sour cream (16 ounces)
1 stick butter (melted)
1 cup grated cheese (I use Cojack)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients and put into a 9 x 13 pan. Bake covered for 1 hour. Remove cover and bake for 15 or 20 minutes more until top is browned and mixture is bubbly.

CORN CASSEROLE

1 16 ounce can of creamed corn
1 16 ounce can of whole kernel corn
2 sticks of butter, melted
4 beaten eggs
2 boxes of Jiffy corn bread mix
2 cups of sour cream

Mix all ingredients and put into an ungreased 9 x 13 pan. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 45 minutes.

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GRAMMA G'S PEARS AND PEACHES

My mother-in-law made these for every Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.

1 large can (29 ounces) peach halves, drained
1 large can (29 ounces) pear halves, drained
1 8 ounce package low fat cream cheese
¼ cup chopped walnuts
1 small jar maraschino cherries

Each can of fruit will have 6 to 7 peach or pear halves. Drain fruit well, and put on a pretty serving dish. Mix the cream cheese and nuts and a few chopped cherries. You may need to add a little of the fruit juice to the cream cheese mixture to thin it out a little. Place a little mound of the cream cheese mixture in the center of the fruit halves and top with a half of a cherry. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

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For Two

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There is hardly anything that can be made for only two people during the holidays. During all the cleaning and decorating and cooking and shopping find a quiet moment. Make yourself a cup of tea or hot chocolate. Sit down and think about the Reason for all your work. Sip your warm drink and warm your heart with thoughts about the One you believe in. Offer Him your heart and your drink. He will share. That is the best recipe for two.

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KRUSCIKI (ANGEL WINGS)

12 egg yolks
3 tablespoons powdered sugar (confectioners)
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups of flour

Mix together all ingredients and knead. Roll out quite thin and cut into 1 ½ inch strips. Cut each strip into three inch long pieces on an angle. Slit each piece lengthwise about 1 inch wide in center of each piece. Insert one side through the slit. In a deep frying pan, melt shortening to about 1 inch depth. When shortening is hot, place enough pieces of pastry in pan without crowding them and fry on each side until light brown in color. Use tongs to turn each piece over as well as to remove them from the pan. Place on paper toweling. When all pieces are fried, using a sieve, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

WESOLYCH SWIAT from Linda in Michigan!

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